The greenhouse effect is the natural process by which the atmosphere traps some of the sun’s energy, warming the Earth enough to support life. Without the greenhouse effect the Earth’s average global temperature would be -18C rather than the present 15C. Since the Industrial Revolution gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide has been added to the earth’s atmosphere (GBRMP 2009). This causing the concentration of the greenhouse gases to increase those making the Earth warmer than usual (GBRMP 2009). By year 2065 the CO2 levels will increase by double, contributing to a rise in temperature by 0.3C every ten years (GBRMP 2009). As the greenhouse gases increase this results in the sea temperature to escalate 1 to 2 C ultimately killing the corals (GBRMP 2009).
The impact of global warming is the greatest long – term threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Coral species live within a limited temperature margin, and inconsistent temperatures can bring about coral bleaching (Buchheim 2009). Solar Irradiance is